Waldman, active in the Beat Poetry, New York School, and Black Mountain movements, is an integral member of the "Outrider" experimental poetry community, a culture she has helped create and nurture for over four decades as writer, editor, teacher, performer, magpie scholar, and cultural/political activist. Her work is energetic, passionate, panoramic, and fierce at times. Publishers Weekly recently referred to Waldman as "a counter-cultural giant." Waldman will be reading from The Iovis Trilogy: Colors in the Mechanism of Concealment (Coffee House Press, 2011), a 25-year project in the making.

The schedule for the events is as follows:
April 13, 7-9pm: Reading with Anne Waldman. Reception and book-signing to follow.
April 14, 10:30am-noon: Conversations with Poets: Anne Waldman. One Pause Director Sarah Messer interviews Anne Waldman on her approach to poetry. This interview will be recorded and archived as a part of the One Pause Archive Project.

Joel Salatin, the well-known organic farmer, will be coming to Ann Arbor's Michigan Theater on Tuesday, April 24th by way of the People's Food Co-op of Ann Arbor (PFC), to "share how his farm serves as a prototype to the way local food can lead to our agricultural, environmental, and nutritional salvation. Noting that our food system now faces challenges in biosecurity, food safety, energy, integrity, and humane animal husbandry, he will explain how local production, processing, distribution, and patrons in the Ann Arbor area can reshape our food future."

Salatin's ideas and progress in the world of sustainable farming have been featured in Michael Pollan’s bestselling book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, in the documentary films Food, Inc. and Fresh, and also in his very own books, Folks, this Ain't Normal and Holy Cows and Hog Heaven. "Since his cutting-edge sustainable farm, Polyface Inc., began inspiring people throughout the world, his charismatic nature and ability to produce provocative and poignant proclamations about the unfortunate state of our food system have made him one of the most influential voices in the sustainable food movement today."

The event will take place at the Michigan Theater in Downtown Ann Arbor on Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 from 8pm to 10pm. Tickets are $15 for the General Public, and $13 for Students & PFC Members. Available at ticketmaster.com or surcharge-free at the People's Food Co-op of Ann Arbor.

The event will feature displays of Lego creations crafted by talented Lego hobbyists from near and far! Even you can get in on the fun - there will be tables piled high with thousands of LEGO, Duplo, and Bionicle pieces for you to craft your very own creations. In addition, Bricks for Brains will have fun and educational building projects for everyone to take part in. For more information, see the list of featured exhibits and activities.

Derrick Jensen, the arch-environmental-activist, is coming to the area in March to present a keynote lecture for the Porter Chair Speaker Series at Eastern Michigan University. Derrick speaks and writes an urgent message about how the dominant culture of excess is killing the planet. But what do you DO about it? His version of an answer to my question is pretty radical and on March 22nd, in Pease Auditorium, at 7:30pm, you can hear it in his own words. He manages over and over again to score the point: if we don’t change our direction, we will end up where we are headed.

We own many of Derrick’s books and you can read his regular column in Orion magazine, also in our collection. This documentary, End-Civ: Resist or Die, is based on one of his books and spells out some of his persistent themes in changing directions. For more information about his visit, which includes a reception and book signing and a Friday workshop, look here.

Session 2 of this UMS Night School series will feature discussions of the January performances of "Einstein on the Beach" and The Hamburg Symphony Orchestra. The 60-minute introduction portion of this event will center on two upcoming UMS Renegade events:

The Tallis Scholars, scheduled to perform on February 16 at St. Francis Of Assisi Church, have established themselves as the leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music throughout the world.

Random Dance, appearing February 18 at the Power Center, is famous for incorporating animation, digital film, 3-D architecture, electronic sound, and virtual dancers into the live choreography.

This series is hosted by Prof. Mark Clague, Associate Professor of Musicology and Director of Research at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Are you a fiction writer? Have you ever wondered about the writing techniques of a journalist? Well, now is your chance to get your questions about journalism answered! 826michigan’s “How to Write Like I Do” writing workshops presents: The Reported Imagination: Journalism Techniques for Fiction Writers. Heading up this workshop is none other than V.V. Ganeshananthan, Zell Visiting Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Michigan and author of the critically acclaimed 2008 novel, Love Marriage. Topics of discussion will include how fiction writers can use journalism techniques, such as interviewing and arduous editing, in their craft.

This fun event is for adults only, and takes place on Saturday, February 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 826michigan. Participants will be treated to Zingerman’s coffee and pastries.

Cost for this event is $25 per participant. However, 826Michigan is running a Bring-a-Friend special that allows you to purchase two tickets for $40! All proceeds from the event go to support 826michigan’s free creative writing program for youth ages 6-18 in Washtenaw County. So, get out your pen and paper or computer, and come join V.V. Ganeshananthan in a discussion about incorporating journalism techniques in your fiction writing!

Join Ann Arbor Film Festival executive director, Donald Harrison, and other voices from the Festival's past, this Friday evening as we celebrate the Festival's 50th anniversary with the launch the Ann Arbor Film Festival Archive. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the AAFF, Donald will present some behind-the-scenes stories from the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America. AADL staff will also offer a sneak peek into Ann Arbor Film Festival Archive, which launches that night. This website will provide access to historical Festival programs, flyers, posters, photographs, articles from the Ann Arbor News and Ann Arbor Sun, and other documents from the Festival's past. Light refreshments will be served.

Are you in the market for a preschool? Are you looking for a good place to start your search? Then you should come to the Preschool Expo on January 29th! What is the Preschool Expo? It’s an event that brings representatives from many area preschools to one location, on one date. That way, it’s easy to gather information on preschools and talk with the representatives in order to find a good fit for your child! This free event is co-sponsored by the Ann Arbor District Library, Washtenaw Success by Six, Child Care Network, and U-M Work/Life Resource Center. Come explore your options at the Preschool Expo!

Date: Sunday, January 29th
Time: 1:00 – 4:00p.m.
Place: Palmer Commons on the U-M Campus
100 Washtenaw Ave.
(Located at the intersection of Central and Medical Campuses)
Parking: Free parking available in the structure across the street from Palmer Commons

Have you heard about the Thurston Chess Tournament? It's happening on January 21 for students in Ann Arbor in grades K-8. Ray Garrison, is the tournament director, who also teaches classes for many players in the area. Space is limited to the first 120 players, so don't wait. For more information call 734-663-6326 or email jeffalson@sbcglobal.net

Visit the website: www.ThurstonChess.com for more information.
You can also meet up at the Traverwood branch for some practice games at a monthly event called 'Chesstastic,' which is coming up on January 15, Sunday, from 1-4pm.

Featured Events

Ride the Highway to Horror

Get ready for a spine-tingling evening when bestselling horror genre authors Andrew Pyper and Nick Cutter visit the Downtown Library for one night of chilling readings and conversation. There will also be plenty of time for questions and answers — if you dare! The Dark Side II: Highway to Horror Tour makes their Ann Arbor stop Tuesday, March 3 at 7 pm at the Downtown Library.

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